UFC on ESPN 18: Smith vs. Clark predictions

COVID-19 has struck again at UFC on ESPN 18 in Las Vegas.

Heavyweight Curtis Blaydes has tested positive for the Coronavirus, which means the main event bout with Derrick Lewis is off with less than a day to go.

The co-main event, the Devin Clark vs. Anthony Smith bout, has been elevated to the main event.

Our friends at Fanduel have you covered for your UFC on ESPN 18 wagering pleasure. You can find them here.

Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main card.

MAIN CARD (10PM ET/7PM PT)

JONATHAN PEARCE (9-4-0) VS. KAI KAMAKA III (8-2-0)

Andrews: Pearce will need to catch Kamaka, but Kamaka’s careful footwork and preference for scoring points should give him a less than entertaining win.

Andrews Prediction: Kai Kamaka III via UD

ASHLEE  EVANS-SMITH (6-4-0) VS. NORMA DUMONT VIANA (4-1-0)

Andrews: Dumont missed weight, but she is a featherweight dropping down to bantamweight. Evans-Smith has struggled against top competition and she is facing a bigger fighter. But here I think Evans-Smith uses a good game plan to score just enough point on the feet and ground to grind out a win.

Andrews Prediction: Ashlee Evans-Smith via UD

SPIKE CARLYLE (9-2-0) VS. BILL ALGEO (13-5-0)

Andrews: Two tough guys. Algeo gets the nod in a close fight.

Andrews Prediction: Bill Algeo via UD

MIGUEL BAEZA (9-0-0) VS. TAKASHI SATO (16-3-0)

Andrews: “Caramel Thunder” is one nice nickname. Sato is a game fighter but I think Baeza after some early nerves, ends it.

Andrews Prediction: Miguel Baeza via TKO

JOSH PARISIAN (13-3-0) VS. PARKER PORTER (9-6-0)

Andrews: Don’t blink. Someone is going to get knocked out and it will be Porter.

Andrews Prediction: Josh Parisian via TKO

MAIN EVENT 

#6 ANTHONY SMITH (33-16-0) VS. DEVIN CLARK (12-4-0) 

Andrews: Smith has looked awful in his last two fights, but they were against top competition. Here, he should be the favourite, taking on the up-and-coming Clark. But I have to go with the “Brown Bear” here, as I cannot remember the last time Smith actually bullied someone in the octagon. If Smith loses, he will probably be on the bubble, if he isn’t already.

Andrews Prediction: Devin Clark via TKO

Enjoy the fights.

@kenaiandrews